Hello World! Welcome Friends! Marble countertops have long been the epitome of all things luxurious and eye-catching. It’s the material that makes a kitchen or bathroom go from drab to fab. Marble is not only beautiful in design and color, but the effects of using marble such as the appearance of a brighter room are the other benefits of choosing marble. Although marble is known for its light white colors and marbling, there are hundreds of different types of marble to choose from. Deciding on the ideal marble countertop depends on things like the space it’ll be used in, the style you desire, the cost and functionality of the marble. Read on to discover more about marble and the different aspects to consider before purchasing slabs for installation.
What is Marble?
Marble is a natural stone formed under immense pressure and is considered a metamorphic rock. Pressure and heat combined cause the material to become a very hard natural stone. Marble isn’t the hardest countertop option but it is highly durable and user friendly. Marble is more porous than other surfaces because of the process it endures.
The Design
Most notable for its classic white and grey color scheme, marble also comes in other colors such as brown, light yellows, beige, and more. It’s different from many other options like granite in that it does not contain a lot of speckling, instead its known for veining throughout a slab that creates a marbling effect. The patterns of this marbling can vary from slab to slab.
The Cost of Marble
Marble is not a cheap material and that is something to consider when deciding the perfect marble countertop. Although the prices can vary depending on size and variety, marble can reach upwards past $100 per square foot. If you’re willing to pay more, the investment will be worth it because of the touch of elegance and luxury that marble has on any room. You can also consider buying cheaper varieties that start around an average of about $40 per square foot.
Some things to consider in deicing on the ideal marble surface upon purchase in terms of cost is to consider thickness. The thicker the marble slab will be, the greater the cost. Continue reading further to learn more about thickness and how it fits in to choosing your ideal marble slab.
An option to save money on a marble countertop is to buy it in tile form rather than in slabs. It’s not going to save you thousands of dollars, but it’s a simple way to keep a few extra dollars in your wallet. With the extra money you save you can it for maintaining your marble or future upgrades.
Thickness
Choosing the thickness of your marble is crucial in maintaining the vision you have for the space that the marble will be installed. For the sake of aesthetic, thicker marble countertops are stunning and naturally highly desirable by most homeowners. Many also feel that thicker marble slabs will equal more durability. Though thicker marble countertops may look pleasing to the eye, a thinner thickness can still hold the integrity and beauty of what makes a marble countertop so desirable.
3cm is the standard thickness for kitchen countertops. 2 cm is the norm for most bathroom countertop surfaces. So it really depends on where you will be placing your marble when it comes to determining thickness and variety of marble. Although these are the average standards of thickness, you can go even thinner or thicker depending on your taste and budget. If you can’t afford to use thick countertops throughout a space, consider accenting with a thicker slab for furnishings such as a small bathroom vanity top or a kitchen island.
The Room, Functionality, and Design
One of the most important steps in determining the ideal marble countertop for your space is to know the space your marble will be installed. Is it the bathroom, kitchen, or both? This is an important question because usability in each of these spaces differs.
If you’re going to be incorporating marble into your kitchen, there are factors to consider such as how often cooking is done in the kitchen and how user-friendly you’re willing to allow the marble to be. Kitchen counters are typically in use almost every day and suffer the wear and tear or chopping, hot surfaces, and spills. This means that you may want to choose a marble that is lighter in color, such as a classic white and gray tops. The reason being that many times in the kitchen etching is inevitable, and it’s harder to notice these scratches because of the already white color. If you choose darker varieties of marble, etching is more visible.
For marble countertops in the bathroom, there may be a little less to worry about which leaves your options a bit more open ended in terms of design. On average there isn’t too much wear and tear in bathroom countertops except from light use from things like makeup applications and water contact. Because of this, you can opt for darker varieties of marble or more exotic slabs that may not be as suitable for a space like the kitchen. Bathrooms are typically noted a relaxing and calming space, so lighter marble is still an option, it really depends on what you have envisioned.
Maintenance
Whatever variety of marble you choose in terms of design, thickness, and where it will be installed, a word about the importance of caring for marble is important.
Even though marble is highly durable, it does require more maintenance and attention than some other natural stone surfaces. Metamorphic rocks are considered to be softer than others, and that makes them more porous. That means it’s absolutely necessary to clean up spills immediately so they don’t settle into the porous surface and stain your counter. Also, it’s important to put away acidic foods after use and not leave them on the counter. Failure to do so may result in the damage of the marbling effect in the marble. You can find out more by checking out this article.
Marble countertops should be carefully maintained and it starts by making sure they are properly sealed. Sealant should be reapplied everyone to two years in an effort to minimize the risks of damage because of the porous nature of the material. Proper care will ensure that your marble countertops, whatever look or style you choose will continue to enrich any space.
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